Flowmeter



lug.'13, 1946. v ,"M. `P. MATUsz'AK l 405,704

FLOWMETER Filed oct. 21, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 Patented Aug. 13, 1946 FLOWMETERv Maryan P. Matuszak, Bartlesville, Okla., assignor to Phillips Petroleum of Delaware Company, a corporation Application October 21, 1943, Serial No. 507,1@

(Cl. I3-205) 7 Claims. l

This invention relates to the measurement of the rate of now of uids; and, in its more specific aspects, is concerned with improved apparatus for readily determining the rate of flow of various fluids, particularly gaseous and/or vaporous fluids.

Numerous devices for measuring the rate of flow of uids have been developed and employed with greater or less success, heretofore. Among the generally known and commonly employed flowmeters for measuring ordinary uid flowrates are those which lcomprise a combined orifice and differential pressure gauge, such as the conventional U-tube manometer. These flowmeters include. as essential elements, a conduit through which the iiuid is transmitted and having an orice disposed across th'e interior thereof, and a U-tube manometer having one of its arms in communication with the interior of the conduit at a point upstream of the orice and its other arm in communication with the interior of the conduit at a point downstream of the orice. With this type of arrangement, when the rate of fluid liow through the conduit changes, the difference in pressure between the two arms of the manometer changes correspondingly. After the device has been suitably calibrated, the readings of the manometer provide measurements of the rate of fluid flow. Experience has shown that present dayflowmeters of the character above described possess a number of disadvantages. For one thing th'e calibration of this class of flowmeters is as a rule laborious and time-consuming, since necessary measurements and calculations must be made for a plurality of diierential pressures and readings within the operating range of the instrument. Another disadvantage of this type of iiowmeter resides in the fact that solid particles, such as dust, that is entrained in the uid, oftentimes become lodged or deposited in the oriorice andI resulting in erroneous readings.

The flowmeter of the present invention contemplates and actually does completely obviate or substantially reduce the disadvantages and objections discussed above as will be readily comprehended by one skilled in the art as the instant disclosure progresses. Briefly stated, my invention comprises a device having an inlet and an outlet and adapted to be disposed across a conduit through which the fluid to be measured flows; a porous tubular member through which the fluid is transmitted on passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a differential pressure gauge. The characteristics of individual porous tubes are suchthat the calibration curve, for moderate differential pressures, is substantially a straight line. Although the combination of porous tube and differential-pressure gauge may if desired be constructed of any materials that are functionally suitable, it is recommended that construction material consisting primarily of glass be employed in the interest of simplicity.

With reference to the porous tube itself, the same may be fabricated from glass, as, for example, by employing oneor more of the known techniques for making fritted or sintered glass discs. On the other hand, the porous tube may be made With equally satisfactory results for the purposes Lof my invention from any suitable commercially available porous ceramic refractory tube of proper configuration that is inert to the fluid to be measured and that preferably can be sealed directly to glass without the use of a cementing or other special uniting or assembling material. It is to be understood, however, that a suitable cement or similar material may be advantageously employed to effectively seal one or more of the porous tubes in th'e desired location within the remainder of the device of this invention. Unglazed refractory tubes; such as those ordinarily used for the insulation of thermo'couple wires and readily obtainable in a variety of lengths, diameters and wall thickness from several sources, are entirely satisfactory and accordingly recommended. The type having a single bore is preferred because of its uniformity in Wall thickness.

' I have found that such tubes may be joined diflee, thereby changing the effective size of the rectly and with a minimum of di'iculty tohe'atresistant glass of the class commonly referred to as Pyrex, provided that care is taken to avoid appreciable overlapping with the glass in the use of porous tubes having a diameterI greater than 1 mm. Porous tubes having a diameter of about l mm. are generally so thin-walled that they can be successfully joined to a glass tube of slightly greater diameter by inserting one end thereof a distance of about'l or 2' mm. into the glass tube and then softening the glass tube in that region bythe application of heat so that it contracts and unites with the porous tube, thereby obtaining an overlapping seal or joint. Porous tubes of considerable wall thickness cannot as a rule be united to the glass tube in this manner since 'the overlapping joints resulting therefrom are likely to crack and fail. Relatively thick walled porous tubes may, however, beV electively sealed or joined directly to glass tubes of substantially the same diameter by making the joint end-to- Another important object of this invention is` th'e provision of a owmeter of the class indicated that is characterized by the fact that a substantially straightline relationship exists between the rate of flow of duid therethrough `and the differential pressure of the uid thereacross.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a fluid flowmeter so constructed and arranged as to minimize the possibility iof the same becoming clogged or otherwise fouled by solid particles entrained in the fluid being measured, to thereby obtain a device that is capable of being employed for extended periods of time without appreciable diminution in accuracy.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a flowmeter that is adapted to pass greater quantities of various gases, suchas isobutane and other gaseous hydrocarbons, than air at corresponding differential pressures within the Operating range of the ilowmeter. v

My present invention has for an additional object the provisionof a device ofthe character indicated that is relatively simple in design, durable in` construction and reasonable in initial and maintenance costs; andthjat is capable of performing its intended functions in an'effective and eiii cient manner.

The foregoing aswell as other objects and advantages will he Vreadily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following detailed description and annexed dwawings which respectively describe and illustrate preferred embodiments of my instant invention, and

wherein v Figure 1 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational View of a modified embodiment of this invention;

Figure 3 is 'a graph showing severa] calibration curves obtained for two flowmeters of the type illustrated in Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a graph showing two calibration curves obtained for a owmeter of the type illustrated in Figure 1 and corresponding curves obtainedfor a flowmeter employing the` usual constriction ororifice in place of a porous tube.

Referring first to Figure 1 for full understanding of the construction of the Vapparatus illustrated therein, it will be noted that the same consists Vof a pair of separable and preferably transparent glass tubular units, namely, a lower tubular unit generally indicated by reference numeral I9 and an upper tubularunit generally indicated by reference numeral II, which are in duid communication and which are joined by tubular flexible distortable couplings I 2. Rubber constitutes a suitable material for couplings l2 in many instances. However, should the fluid to be measured tend to attack rubber upon contact therewith and result in premature failure thereof, it is considered advisable to use an ap propriate synthetic rubber composition. 'orV the like as the coupling material. This is advocated when the fluid under consideration is. for example, a hydrocarbon ora mixture of hydrocarbons.

Lower unit l!! includes a differential pressure lar member I6 communicates with one arm of manometer I3 and with an inlet Il. A second upwardly extending tubular member I8 communicates with the other arm of manometer I3 and with an outlet I9. interposed across member I8 and integral therewith is a bulb or surge chamber 20. l

Upper unit II includes an inverted U-shaped tube 2I having a branch comprising a pair of parallel conduits 29 and 30 terminating in a deformable bulb 3I. A porous tube 34 of the character referred to above is disposed within tube ZI at the junction of conduits 29 and 30 and is spaced therefrom to form anannular passage 35 therewith. The end of theporous tube 34 that is nearer inlet Il' is sealed to the interior of tube ZI and the other end of the porous tube is flanged and 'sealed tothe interior of conduit 39 in the manner earlier described. Conduit 29 is provided with a scale 33. Mercury reservoir 3l is deforma- .ble and the internal Volume thereof may be al- "tered by any convenient means, such as the clamping Ymechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 36 within which reservoir 3| is adapted `to be positioned. 'Clamping mechanism 36 comprises a frame including a base 3'I and sidewalls 38mand 39. A rod 40 is in threadedV engagement with side wall 39 and extends therethrough. A plate III is preferably swivelly connected to one end of rod 40 while knurled hand wheel 42 is rigidly connected to the opposite end. It will be evident that by virtue ofthe construction shown and by reason of the deformable character of .reservoir 3i, the level of the mercury inconduit 29 and porous tube 34 may be adjustedat the will of the Yoperator to thereby vary the effective length or active area of theporous tube. The internal diameter of porous tube 34 is preferably the same as the corresponding diameter of conduit 29 in order` to facilitate judging -thelevel of the mercury in the 'porous tube as indicated bythe scale 33.

In practice, the fluid being measured enters th device of Figure 1 through inlet Il', flows into conduits 29 and 3i) and passes through the wall ofporous tube 34 into annular space 35, and is then discharged by way of outlet I9.v The back pressure exerted by porous tube 34 is measured by manometer I3 as indicated by calibrated scale M. As this pressure varies with the rate of ow of the fluid through the device, the reading of the manometer providesl a measure of the rate of iiuid iiow. Bulb 29 serves as a surge reservoir whereby any possibility of any manometer liquid I5 being discharged from the device by wayof outlet I9 and thus loss is successfully prevented. Although the porosity of an individual porous tube is usually substantially uniform along its entire length, the porosity of one tube may ydiffer considerablyfrom that of another tube. In the event it is desired to make two or more flowmeters of the same range, the relative porosity of two (or more) individual tubes may be deterlength of one porous tube that is the equivalent functionally of a known length of the other porous tube. If desired, the porosity -of a-particular porous tube may be decreased by sintering Aor subjecting the same to incipient fus-ion at an elevatedtemperature, kas byl applying direct heat thereto with a gas-oxygen flame. If a porous tube of yhigh refractoriness to heat is desired, it may be Amade of integrated particles of beryllium oxide.

The modification vof the invention depicted in Figure 2 is basically similar to that shown in Figure 1 and possesses the added advantages of being so-mewhat sturdier in construction and of presenting the outside of the porous tube upstream to the ow of iiuid being measured. In this modification of the invention a single conduit 43 takes the place of bothv conduits 2=9 and 30 of Figure 1. A porous tube 44 is central-ly disposed within conduit 43 and is spaced therefrom to form an annular passage 155 therewith. The upper end of porous tube-4f! is sealed across conduit 2|, as illustrated, and the lower end thereof is provided with a closure 24 which consists of a lens shaped glass element. It will be observed that the mercury or equivalent liquid 32 is admitted into annular space 45 to thereby vary the effective length of porous tube 44. Obviously the mercury or similar liquid employed in the apparatus of either Figure 1 or Figure 2 does not pass through the corresponding porous tube.

In Figure 3 are calibration curves for two flowmeters, A and B, of the type shown in Figure 1, for air, isobutane, and hydrogen. The curves are straight lines drawn through the experimentally determined values of the ow rates at a differential pressure or pressure drop of 100 mm. of mercury. The experimental values were obtained by collecting and timing the gas passing through the flowmeter at baro-metric pressure and room temperature, and calculating the volumes at standard conditions (N. T. P1). Experimental values are given also at pressure drops of 50 and 200 mm. of mercury. It will be observed that, although the experimental values for the flow rates at the extraordinary high pressure drop of 200 mm. of mercury do not fall quite on the corresponding straight line, the experimental values within the usual and most convenient pressuredrop range of up to about 100 mm. of mercury do fall on the straight line. Consequently, to obtain a calibration curve for a flow meter of the type herein disclosed, all that is necessary is to determine the ow rate at a pressure drop of 100 mm. of mercury (or a corresponding upper pressure drop for a manometer liquid other than mercury) and draw a straight line through the points representing this now rate and the origin.

In Figure i are air and isobutane calibration curves for a iicwmeter, C, of the type shown in Figure 1 and for a owmeter, D, of the same general design but having an orifice made in the usual manner by constricting a glass tube. At a pressure drop of 100 mm. of mercury, these two fiowmeters passed the same amount of air, 6.05 liters (N. T. P.) per hour. While for fiowmeter C this one point was suicient to determine the calibration curve, more than one point had to be determined for flowmeter D. Similarly, the

single experimental value found with isobutane P at a pressure drop of 100 mm. of mercury was sufficient for flowmeter C but was not sufficient for owmeter D.

The wide applicabiltiy of the straight-line calibration for the flowmeters of this invention is in- 'lil dicated by .the fact that flowmeters A, B, and .C covered a tenfold range of flow rates, as is clear from Figures 3 and 4. In fact, the range of' applicability of the straight-line calibration appears to hold for fiowrneters of this type having all possible 'fiow rates.` It is thus clear lthat the .flowmeters of this invention possess an important advantage in the ease and simplicity with` which they are calibrated, whereby much time and labor can be saved.

Figures 3 and e illustrate another advantage of the owmeters of .this invention, namely that these fiowmeters pass relatively more of Va vapor, such as isobutane, than of a gas, such Yas air. This advantage is quite unexpected and unpredictable. According to Grahams well-known law of diusion, it would be expected that a relatively heavy gas like isobutane would be passed through the flowmeter more, slowly than would air; such a relationship is in fact shown in Figure 4 for the old type of flowmeter having a single vconstriction serving as an orice. Although the present invention should not be restricted by any theory, it is possible that this unexpected effeet may be caused by an adsorption of the vapor on the surfaces of the pores of the porous tube, whereby perhaps a substantially two-dimensional liquid layer is formed within the porous tube.

Thus it will be seen that the construction herein shown and described is well adapted to accomplish the objects of the present invention. It will be understood, however, that the invention may be embodied otherwise than here shown, and that in the form illustrated certain obvious changes in construction may be made.- Therefore, I do not wish to be limited precisely to the construction herein shown except as may be required by the appended claims considered with reference to the prior art.

What I claim is:

.1. In a fluid iiowmeter, in combination, a conduit, an inlet for admitting fluid into the conduit, an outlet for discharging fluid from the conduit, a porous tube disposed inl the conduit and spaced therefrom to form an annular passage therewith, one end of the porous tube being closed, means forming a seal between the other end of the porous tube and the interior of the conduit, sealing means for varying the effective length of the porous tube, and a pressure gauge for indicating the drop in fluid pressure occasioned by the passage of fluid through the wall of the porous tube.

2. A fluid flowmeter comprising a conduit, an inlet for admitting fluid into the conduit, an outlet for discharging fluid from the conduit, a porous tube disposed in the conduit and spaced therefrom to form an annular passage therewith, means forming a seal between each end of the porous tube and the interior of the conduit, means including a liquid immiscible with the fluid for varying the eifective length of the porous tube, and a pressure gauge for indicating the drop in fluid pressure occasioned by the passage of iiuid through the wall of the porous tube.

3. A fluid flowmeter comprising a conduit, an inlet for admitting fluid into the conduit, an outlet for discharging fluid from the conduit, a porous tube disposed in the conduit and spaced therefrom to form an annular passage therewith, means forming a seal between each end of the porous tube and the interior of the conduit, means for varying the effective length of the porous tube, said last mentioned means including a container of variable volumetric capacity communicating with the interior of the porous tube,

and a liquid immiscible with the fluid in the container, and a pressure gauge for indicating the drop in iuid pressure occasioned by the passage of fluid through the Wall of the porous tube.

4. The iiowmeter in accordance with lclaim 3 wherein the means for varying the effective length of the porous tube recited therein includes a liquid immiscible with the uid.

5. A uid owmeter comprising a conduit, an inlet for admitting fluid into the conduit, an outlet for discharging fluid from the conduit, a porous tube disposed in the conduit and spaced therefrom to forman annular passage therewith, one end of the porous tube being closed, means forming a seal between the other end of the porous tube and the interior of the conduit, means for Varying the effective length of the porous tube, said means including a container of variable volumetric capacity communicating with the annular passage, and a liquid immiscilble with the fluid in the container, and a pressure gauge for indicating the drop in fluid pressure occasioned by the passage of the fluid through the Wall of the porous tube.

Y6. A fluid flowmeter comprising a conduit conning the ow of fluid and including an inlet and an outlet, a porous member disposed across the interior of the conduit and resisting the flow of iiuid therethrough, a pressure gauge for indicating the drop in uid pressure occasioned by the passage oi fluid through the porous member, a sealing liquid in said conduit in contact with said porous member, and means for displacing the sealing liquid with respect to said porous member to Vary the area thereof through which the fluid passes.

'7. In a uid fiowmeter the combination comprising a conduit coniining the flow of fluid and including an inlet and an outlet, a porous member disposed across the interior of the conduit and resisting the oW of fluid therethrough, a pressure gauge for indicating the drop in uid pressure occasioned by the passage of fluid through the porous member, sealing means in said conduit and positioned adjacent said porous member, and means exterior of said conduit for displacing said sealing means with respect to the porous member to Vary the active area thereof through which the uid passes.

MARYAN P. MATUSZAK. 

